Are internships important?

• According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), internships are employers’ #1 method of recruiting new hires.
• A quarter of the new hires by prestigious Fortune 500 companies have participated in an internship program.
• The number one criteria employers use in hiring is attitude and then experience.
• Employers look for entry-level candidates to have some relevant experience.
• Most employers (87.2%) interviewed by NACE said their new hires do have internship experiences.
• Nearly 40% of interns are offered full-time jobs upon graduation.
• According to a report from the Labor Department, Internships are increasingly important for landing a job after graduation because the number of jobs fell in 41 states. A declining economy with fewer job openings makes experience vital in a job search.

Why should I seek out an Internship?

• Gain valuable experience
• Learn more about fields of interest
• Strengthen working skills
• Build a network of professional contacts
• Clarify career goals
• Apply concepts learned in the classroom
• Learn and understand the jargon of a profession
• Improve communication skills
• Increase your marketability
• Build your resume

Experience greatly increases your ability to be hired. Employers take many things into consideration when hiring for jobs: academic background, professionalism, experience (including work, internship and volunteer) and demeanor during an interview. In today’s job market, the experience an internship provides is essential for your career development.

A recent NACE survey claims “employers find students without internships may be more likely to have unrealistic views of work, lack maturing and work ethic, lack commitment to the organization, and possess less awareness of business etiquette.”

Where Can I Find an Internship?

• Ask your professors
• Visit KWU Career Services
• Attend Career Fairs
• Research professional journals/associations/directories
• Utilize your network (faculty, friends, and relatives)
• Look through classified/job postings
• Contact organizations directly (cold call or send a letter)
• Internet resources
• Coyote Career Connections
• Internships in Salina

Helpful Internship Links

Student Guide to Planning an Internship.doc

Internship Sample Letter of Inquiry.doc

Finding Your Internship.doc

Looking for a Summer Job or Internship.doc

Internship Guidelines Packet.docx

Coyote Career Connections

Questions/Assistance Contact:

785-827-5541 Ext. 1160
Office Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday
Outside office hours appointments available upon request.
Student Development Office, Pioneer Hall, Room 185